The number of teenagers grappling with gambling addiction in South Korea has more than doubled over the past four years, accompanied by a staggering 14-fold surge in online casino participation.
According to The Korea Times, which cites Representative Cho Gye-won of the opposition Democratic Party of Korea, data from the Korea Center on Gambling Problems (KCGP) reveals that the number of teenagers receiving gambling addiction counseling has risen from 1,286 in 2020 to 2,665 by the end of August this year. While more teens are seeking help, the severity of their addiction remains concerning.
The number of “problem level” gamblers—those exhibiting the most severe addiction—rose from 362 (65.1 percent) in 2020 to 582 (66.4 percent) this year.
Another statistic is the significant drop in the success rate of teens quitting gambling. The rate of successful gambling cessation one year after treatment plummeted from 49.2 percent in 2020 to just 24.9 percent in 2023, suggesting that teens are finding it increasingly difficult to overcome gambling addiction once they start.
A concerning shift in the age group affected is also emerging. Four years ago, high school students (aged 17 to 19) made up 80.5 percent of those seeking help for gambling addiction. This figure has now decreased to 55 percent, while middle school students (aged 14 to 16) have seen an increase in gambling addiction cases, rising from 12.8 percent in 2020 to 20.6 percent. Experts warn that younger teens, who are more susceptible to peer influence, are at greater risk of being drawn into gambling.
The nature of gambling among teens is also evolving. While the number of teens engaging in sports betting has dropped sharply—from 48.2 percent in 2020 to 9.2 percent this year—online casino use has surged dramatically, rising from 8.9 percent in 2020 to 59 percent in 2023. Online casinos pose a particular threat to teens due to their accessibility via smartphones and the immediate gratification they offer, making them more addictive.
Representative Cho called for stricter enforcement and harsher penalties for illegal gambling websites, as well as enhanced efforts to shut down these platforms.
He stressed the need for comprehensive reform in addiction prevention education, urging collaboration between the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Ministry of Education to strengthen policies and swiftly amend relevant regulations.
Gambling addiction prevention must be included in school curriculums rather than left to the discretion of principals, Cho emphasized.